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ALBANY, 03/26/12 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today commented on the education aid portion of the 2013-14 state budget:

“Students statewide should have access to a quality education that prepares them to move forward in life, regardless of where they live. The aid conversation in recent years reflects that belief and the distribution of state dollars once again this year is another step toward helping our upstate, low-wealth schools.”

ALBANY, 03/25/13 – As the 2013-14 state budget is finalized, Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) announced today that local counties will receive a substantial increase in funding to support highway improvements.

“After meeting with county and town highway superintendents from throughout my district it was clear that the state needed to boost funding available through the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Plan (CHIPs),” said Senator Seward. “I fought hard for new money during the state budget negotiations and was successful in securing an additional $75 million in CHIPs funding – the first CHIPs increase in five years.”

ALBANY, 03/25/13 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today announced senate passage of legislation he co-sponsored (S.1079) that would increase the penalty for killing or injuring a police animal. The senate bill has received newfound attention following the shooting of FBI K-9 Ape in Herkimer at the conclusion of a standoff with an armed gunman who had already shot six people, four fatally.

ALBANY, 03/21/13 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) today commented on the state budget agreement:

“With a budget agreement now in hand, New York is on track to complete work on the 2013-14 well ahead of the April 1 deadline, marking our third straight on-time budget and earliest in 30 years. The plan also focuses on my key priorities – job growth, tax relief for middle class families and additional education aid for our area schools.

“The final budget will incorporate elements of the senate Republican Family Tax Relief Act, extending tax cuts to middle class workers, helping families with a $350 rebate check, and incorporating a total of $800 million in tax cuts.

ALBANY, 03/19/13 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today joined senate and assembly colleagues to announce introduction of legislation that will give proper recognition to those who are often overlooked in law, law enforcement animals. The bill (S.1079) increases the penalties for killing or injuring a police animal by making it a class D felony. Under current law, killing or injuring a police animal is a class A misdemeanor.

Senator Seward served on the senate education budget subcommittee, and the plan that panel recommended to the full senate became part of the senate’s budget resolution passed on March 11.

The senate majority coalition plan:

*Jumps aid to public schools by 4.6 percent or $925 million (more than $400 million more than the governor’s plan;

*Increases the governor’s proposed restorations to the gap elimination adjustment (GEA) from $321 million to $620 million overall -- nearly doubling funding to reduce districts’ GEA and bringing it down to $1.5 billion;

ALBANY, 03/11/13 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) today commented on passage of a senate budget resolution for fiscal year 2013-14:

“For a third straight year, we are on track to pass an on-time, and in fact, the earliest state budget in more than 30 years, and one that focuses on job creation, education aid for our neediest schools, and tax relief for middle class families.

ALBANY, 03/08/13 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today unveiled the “Senate Republican Blueprint for Jobs: ReThink. ReVitalize. ReBuild.” The job creation plan would cut taxes for one million small businesses and reduce energy costs for every business and residential ratepayer in New York, saving them $2.5 billion.

ALBANY, 03/06/13 -- State legislators representing the Mohawk Valley met today with representatives of Remington Arms to discuss the heritage company’s continued future in Ilion. In light of the state’s adoption of strict new guns laws, the meeting was an opportunity for state elected officials to express their support for Remington and its employees and to discuss prospects for future growth in Herkimer County.

ALBANY, 03/05/13 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) today announced that three broadband expansion projects in the 51st senate district will receive critically important state funds through the Connect NY Broadband Grant Program.

“Reliable, affordable broadband service is extremely important on several fronts. If we are to support our rural areas, and facilitate jobs and economic opportunity, we have to ensure the availability of this important technology,” said Senator Seward. “These Connect NY grants mean new possibilities for businesses, schools and homes throughout the 51st senate district.”

ALBANY, 03/04/13 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today joined senate colleagues to unveil the 2013 Family Tax Relief Act, a package of tax relief and reform measures which will provide a major economic boost to New York’s struggling middle class families.

“The Family Tax Relief Act will give middle class families some much-needed breathing room by allowing them to keep more of their hard-earned money,” said Senator Seward. “The plan takes aim at tax credits and exemptions that are long overdue for reform and provides direct tax relief that will put money back in the pockets of New York’s working class.”

ONEONTA, 02/20/13 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) announced today plans for the state senate’s annual Women of Distinction celebration.

The senate will honor distinguished women from throughout the state at a May 7th Albany reception, where each honoree’s photograph and biography will become part of a special exhibit proclaiming the exceptional contributions of exemplary New York women.

ALBANY, 02/12/13 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) today congratulated Cortland County on the receipt of a $6 million grant through the Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant (SICG) program to upgrade emergency communications.

“Emergency responders depend on a reliable communication network to do their job and save lives,” said Senator Seward. “This grant award, the second received by Cortland County, will not only help protect homes and businesses but also means that firefighters, ambulance workers and police will be safer when answering emergency calls. The funding also saves taxpayers from a major expense.”

ALBANY, 02/11/13 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today met with school officials from Moravia Central School at the Capitol in Albany.

“After traveling to Moravia recently for a tour of the school and a chance to speak with students, teachers and administrators, I was pleased the contingent from Moravia Central School returned the favor by visiting me at the Capitol,” said Senator Seward. “As I work to negotiate a state budget that meets the needs of our students, and helps hold the line on property taxes, it is important to hear, first-hand, from the educators and administrators on the front line.”